Northeastern Pennsylvania' biosciences industry – direct patient care, medical equipment, research and testing, pharmaceutical and more – got a massive shot-in-the-arm this month with $492,000 in grants intended to grow the sector and its economic impact.
“We have a unique opportunity here in northeastern Pennsylvania to capitalize on our many intellectual resources and our geographic proximity to major metropolitan areas in developing an effective and productive bioscience region,” said John Wiercinski, an executive with Geisinger Health System, in a statement. “The success of this initiative can pay dividends for decades to come.”
The funds — $305,000 from a state “Discovered in PA, Developed in PA” grant and $187,000 from the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority – will be used by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Regional Bioscience Initiative (NEPA RBI) to support a web-enabled database; expand bioscience career awareness, education and training; enhance the region's research capacity and retain and attract bioscience workers, businesses and entrepreneurs.
NEPA RBI was established in 2010 to grow the biosciences in a region comprised of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. Its focus is on linking college and university research and development programs, supporting biosciences career development, workforce attraction and retention, entrepreneurial support systems, real estate availability and business outreach.
Source: The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
Writer: Elise Vider